Tenth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

During the course of its service the squadron intercepted 12,979 ships at sea while 2,039 ships reported to a port of examination. 642 evaded the blockade. The losses incurred were nine armed merchant cruisers sunk at the cost of 1,165 officers and men.[2]

September, 1914

The formation is listed under Home and Atlantic Waters as "Cruiser Force B". The torpedo gunboat Dryad (fitted as a minesweeper) and the Armed Merchant Cruisers Alsatian and Mantua have been attached to bring the strength to eight armoured cruisers, two A.M.Cs. and a torpedo gunboat. Crescent is designated as the flagship.[22]

This roster would last only a moment, as a huge influx of newly commissioned Armed Merchant Cruisers would be assigned to the Squadron as the armoured cruisers got swapped out.[25]

December, 1914

The seven Edgars have all been removed from the formation[26] and twenty newly fitted Armed Merchant Cruisers have joined, transforming the Squadron to a format better suited to long patrols in high seas where significant opposition is expected to be the exception. The Squadron is twenty-three A.M.Cs. and a single torpedo gunboat.[27]

March, 1915

Dryad has left to be refit or join a squadron, and A.M.C. strength has frittered to nineteen.[29]Eskimo and Calyx have been dropped for unknown reasons, and two have been lost to mines or other causes: Viknor on 13 January, and Clan McNaughton on 3 February.[30]

December, 1915

Oropesa and Digby have been dropped from the Third Division for unknown reasons. They would rejoin it in March, 1916 under their new names, Champagne and Artois, respectively. The strength is now twenty-one A.M.Cs..[43]

November, 1916

Kildonan Castle has finally arrived.
Mantua has left, to appear in the December Supplement as being somewhere in Home Waters with no clear assignment.[52]
Former member Arlanza has is expected to rejoin the Squadron, bringing along veteran newcomer Armadale Castle, which had been "in Home Waters or on Detached Service" after nearly two years in the South Atlantic and the East Coast of Africa.[53]

This roster would apply for a month or two, after which significant shuffling would occur.[57]

March, 1917

Many ships have swapped Divisions. Teutonic has left the Squadron altogether (to reappear here two months later) while Armadale Castle has arrived. Orvieto has taken up the lead position in the Second Division. The strength is twenty-four A.M.Cs..[58]